The Houthi offensive in western Yemen has rapidly transformed the battlefield, with the group advancing to the Red Sea port of Mocha, the approaches to Bab el-Mandeb and strategically important islands in little more than a week.
The offensive began on September 3, with the Houthis attacking along several axes across western Taiz, southern Hodeidah and the Mocha sector. Rather than concentrating on one target, the operation placed simultaneous pressure on the roads, positions and supply routes connecting Saudi-backed forces along the coast.
The first days did not immediately produce a collapse. Government forces claimed advances around al-Kadha, Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi and said on September 5 that they had regained Hays and were advancing toward al-Jarrahi. On September 6, government forces launched another attack around al-Kadha from three directions, while Saudi aircraft struck Houthi positions.
The fighting nevertheless increasingly stretched the anti-Houthi forces across multiple fronts. The Houthis pressured the network connecting western Taiz and southern Hodeidah to the coast, gradually weakening the defensive depth protecting Mocha.
By September 9, the balance had shifted decisively. Hays had changed hands and government and allied formations began withdrawing southward.
On September 10, Houthi forces entered Mocha after Saudi-backed forces withdrew. The city had served as a major military and logistical base for the anti-Houthi coalition. Its capture gave the Houthis an important Red Sea port and brought them significantly closer to Bab el-Mandeb.
The advance continued. Houthi forces moved toward Dhubab, overlooking the strait, while fighters reached Mayun, also known as Perim, the island located inside Bab el-Mandeb. Yemeni officials also reported Houthi control extending to Zuqar by September 11.
The Houthis later announced that they had driven Saudi-backed forces from six districts in Taiz and Hodeidah covering roughly 5,400 square kilometers. Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said seven military formations comprising 38 brigades had been attacked and claimed hundreds of personnel were killed, wounded or captured.
The speed of the advance exposed weaknesses within the anti-Houthi camp. The National Resistance, Giants Brigades, Nation’s Shield and Taiz formations traded blame for the defeat.
Saudi Arabia continued strikes while the Houthis launched missiles and drones against Saudi territory on September 8 and 9, targeting areas including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. Projectiles also struck pumping stations along the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline on September 10, although Iraqi armed factions allied to Iran were blamed for that attack.
The offensive produced a major geographic shift. The Houthis now hold a much stronger position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and around Bab el-Mandeb, giving them greater leverage over a vital maritime corridor and making any attempt to reverse their gains substantially more difficult.
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